Normatywne i empiryczne teorie demokracji

Abstract

Normative and empirical theories of democracy The phenomenon of democracy may be considered either as some desired political project or some kind of political reality. This paper focuses on normative and empirical theories of democracy. They are both essential in the research of it. The main task of normative theories is to deliver the vision of political system based on such values as liberty, equality and dignity of individuals, protecting civil and political freedoms, and making the government accountable to the citizens. Empirical theories describe and explain the mechanisms of such a systems. Without normative theories we lack the knowledge about how should democracy function. Without empirical theories we do not know how and why does it really work. What we really need in order to understand democracy is the uniting of both approaches.